Things to Do in The Whitsundays Hamilton Island

Choose from 7 Fun Things to Do in The Whitsundays Hamilton Island

Whitsundays Passage

The Whitsundays Passage is the waterway that carves through the middle of the Whitsunday Islands in the heart of northwestern Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. These famous islands, perhaps some of Australia's most popular tourist attractions, are named after the passage, which was given its title by the famed explorer Captain James Cook in 1770. The area was discovered on Whitsun, a Sunday feast day held seven weeks after Easter, thus resulting in the name. However, since the international dateline has now been established, it is now said that the day Cook discovered this passage would have actually been a Monday.

Within Whitsunday Passage, there are 74 islands in total, with the largest simply known as Whitsunday Island. Most of these islands have remained uninhabited or are, at the very least, protected by a vast system of national parks. The oldest settlement in the Whitsundays is the town of Bowen, settled in 1861. Later, in 1936, the city of Airlie Beach was established and it remains, in many ways, the heart of Whitsunday Passage. Today, the Whitsunday Passage is sailed constantly by tourists on chartered boats and cruises, while including some of the world's most photographed beaches.

Practical Info

Most visitors arrive in the Whitsunday Islands via flights to either Hamilton Island or Whitsunday Coast Airport in Proserpine, just a 25-minute drive from Airlie Beach. There are more flights to Hamilton Island with connections from Cairns, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. There are also a number of ferries that link the various islands of Whitsunday. The main hub of transport in the islands is Shute Harbour.

Whitsundays Passage, Whitsundays, Queensland, Australia

From $ 222

Reefworld

Reefworld is the Barrier Reef experience made easy. It's located on two giant pontoons over sheltered Hardy Reef, one of the most beautiful and prolific of nature's coral gardens. So many colors! Thousands of fish! It's a deluxe way to see the wonders of the reef.

You're whisked out there by high-speed catamaran, so you'll spend less time getting out to the reef, and because Hardy Reef is a platform reef, it's not subject to choppy conditions and can be snorkeled pretty much year-round.

You can tour the reef without getting wet aboard spacious semi-submersibles, with commentary from Reef Interpreters. Reefworld's facilities also include a large, seated underwater viewing chamber (complete with soft nautical music); a secure diving area; a large sundeck with sun lounges and views; and a tailor-made viewing area on deck to see the massive Queensland Groper living beneath the platform. There are also masseurs, shops and a host of activities for children.

Practical Info

The catamarans that take you out to Reefworld leave from Shute Harbour (near Airlie Beach), going via Hamilton Island, and from Hamilton Island direct. Both ferries leave in the morning and return in the late afternoon.

Australia

Departs Hamilton Island at 8:45am, returns at 4:20pm

AU$225

From $ 194

Daydream Island Living Reef

The Living Reef, the star attraction of Daydream Island, is home to over 110 species of marine fish, including stingrays, star fish and clown fish, while also hosting over 70 different species of coral reef. Amazingly, the entire reef is artificial, built with the intention of showcasing a microcosm of the Great Barrier Reef itself. The sheer size, a massive 28,500 square feet (2,650 square meters), makes it one of the largest man-made reefs in the entire world. In total, over 7 million liters of sea water are circulated through the artificially grown reef every 24 hours.

Located at the entrance to Daydream Island Resort and Spa, the Living Reef serves as a great educational tool. It lets visitors gain a hands-on experience dealing with coral reef and the organisms that live within them and offers the opportunity to do hand feedings with the animals twice a day. Within the park, there are two different lagoons for people to visit: south and north. The north lagoon is unique in that night-time viewings are possible with the blue lighting within the coral making the underwater world glow to life in an insightful nocturnal experience.

Practical Info

Daydream Island is accessible via chartered boat or the ferry system that also connects Airlie Beach and Shute Harbour. The reef is found at the entrance to the resort on the island. Feedings take place twice a day, once at 10 a.m. and again at 2 p.m.

Daydream Island Resort and Spa, The Whitsundays, Queensland, Australia

Daily

From $ 82

Hill Inlet

Often described as one of the best views in all of Australia, Hill Inlet is a must-visit in the Whitsunday Islands area. Its a feature of countless tours throughout the region and sits on the large Whitsunday Island at Whitehaven Beach.

If you travel along Whitehaven Beach to the north, you'll run into Hill Inlet. Try to be there when the tides are retreating, as this is when you'll have the luxury of watching perfect white sands appear in a twist among the clear blue waters. From the air, it almost looks unnatural, like a water-color painting or a colorful piece of sand art.

Most people arrive by boat and take a dingy ashore. To truly appreciate the view, however, you'll want to make your way to the most popular lookout point over Whitehaven Beach and Hill Inlet, a spot called Tongue Point. It's here that the magnitude of the beach and inlet are best experienced.

Practical Info

Most visitors come to Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday cruises or via a powerboat. However, if you're in a self-sufficient boat, you can anchor just off the beach as well. Another great way to see the amazing beach and inlet is via flightseeing or helicopter tour.

Whitsunday Island National Park, Airlie Beach, Queensland, Australia

From $ 97

Heart Reef

Just offshore from the 74 islands that make up the Whitsundays lay sections of the world's largest barrier reef. The portion of the Great Barrier Reef called Hardy Reef is perhaps the most popular spot for tourists thanks to the postcard-ready Heart Reef, which is, as you may have guessed, the shape of a heart.

Surrounded by perfect blue waters, not only has Heart Reef been formed into a perfect Valentine's shape, but it's even a romantic pink color. The incredible collection of coral was first discovered by an Air Whitsunday pilot and has since become one of the top sights for people doing flightseeing tours over the reefs. Moreover, it has become a popular, if not cliché, destination for both honeymoons and proposals. The grandeur of Heart Reef is only truly visible from the air, of course. At an area of nearly 30 meters wide and 30 more tall, at water level it simply looks like any other reef in the Whitsunday area.

Practical Info

To see Heart Reef you'll need to take to the air. Flightseeing tours are organized from Airlie Beach and will take you over a number of reefs and islands, plus Heart Reef.

Heart Reef, Airlie Beach, Queensland, Australia

From $ 170

Airlie Beach

Airlie Beach may be two-horse small, but it's the main point of departure for many Whitsunday cruises so it's always got the lively feel of constant movement. In the day, the pace is laid back and mainly revolves around the town's artificial lagoon. This is a giant swimming pool (and we mean giant - more than the equivalent of six full-size pools) built by the council to give the town's inhabitants and visitors somewhere to swim when jellyfish season closes the beach.

The lagoon is surrounded by landscaped gardens and everything you'll need for a lazy day spent between the water and the picnic basket - BBQs, showers and toilets are all on tap.

Practical Info

At night, the town sparks up and the backpacker population join the locals on Shute Harbour Road, the main center, to do the rounds of its bars, pubs and clubs. Shute Harbour Road is where you'll find most of the accommodation and eating options, which are reasonable to good. If you're taking a cruise out to the Barrier Reef or the Whitsunday Islands, you'll probably be leaving from Shute Harbour, about 10 minutes drive away from Airlie Beach itself.

Australia

From $ 51

Hamilton Island

The largest inhabited island in the Whitsundays, Hamilton Island has some of the best beach resorts in the Pacific, right on the cusp of the Great Barrier Reef. Famed for its luxury resorts and water sports, stunning views await at every turn—pristine white sands, lush rain forest, and an endless expanse of glittering ocean.

The Basics

Aside from being a popular vacation spot, Hamilton Island makes a strategic basecamp for exploring Whitsunday Islands or cruising the Great Barrier Reef.

Most visitors opt for half- and full-day cruises from Port Airlie, which include beach time at Hamilton Island and a stop at Whitehaven Beach in neighboring Whitsunday Island. Island tours typically take in highlights, such as Catseye Beach, Passage Peak, Wild Life Hamilton Island park, and One Tree Hill.

Things to Know Before You Go

No cars are allowed on Hamilton Island, but golf buggies are available to rent and a free shuttle bus runs to locations, including Catseye Beach, Front Street, and Marina Village.
The island has numerous bars and restaurants, most of which are around Catseye Beach and Hamilton Island Marina.
Pack sunscreen, a hat, and your swimsuit—most tours include free time at the beach.
A motorized raft tour means you can explore protected areas in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and reach the best snorkeling spots.
Some boats and tours are wheelchair accessible. Beach wheelchairs are available to rent from the resorts.

How to Get to There

Hamilton Island—south of Whitsunday Island in the Whitsundays archipelago,—is the only one of the islands with its own airport, Great Barrier Reef Airport. Regular direct flights run from Brisbane, Cairns, Sydney, and Melbourne, and most resorts offer airport shuttles. Alternatively, ferries and boat tours leave from Airlie Beach to Hamilton.

When to Get There

You can visit Hamilton any time of year, but the most popular time is summer (January and February) when it’s advisable to book flights, tours, and accommodation in advance. Average day temperatures are still 73°F (23°C) in winter, making it possible to swim and snorkel year-round. This is also the time to spot migrating whales along the coast.

Outdoor Activities on Hamilton Island

Hamilton’s biggest draw is its beaches, and there are plenty of options for water sports, including paddleboarding, kayaking, snorkeling, and jet-skiing. Alternatively, take a hike to Passage Peak, join an island-hopping cruise, or watch the sunset over the coast at One Tree Hill. There’s also the Hamilton Island Golf Club, a go-kart course, and a kid’s fun zone at Catseye Beach.

Australia

From $ 389